James Durrant appointed Executive Chef at The Stafford London

Former Jason Atherton protégé with over 10 years spent in Michelin-starred venues, to pursue new venture at this iconic London hotel.

James Durrant has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Stafford
London. The winner of the 2014 Great British Menu main course, he has been working in the
hospitality industry for over 20 years in some of the culinary world’s most demanding kitchens,
most notably as Executive Chef of Jason Atherton’s Maze and Maze Grill.

Originally from Chester, Durrant spent his early career working around Cheshire before moving
to London to join GRH (Gordon Ramsay Holidings) as a Junior Sous Chef at the group’s flagship
three-Michelin-starred restaurant on Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea. After spending three years
working his way through this high-pressured kitchen, Durrant moved back North to spend a short
period at Paul Kitching’s Michelin-starred Juniper in Altricham, Cheshire. He then returned to
London and GRH to work as Senior Sous Chef in the highly respected Gordon Ramsay at
Claridge’s.
In 2005 Durrant became Sous Chef of Maze working alongside Jason Atherton, which was
awarded a Michelin star within its first year of operation. In 2008 he became Executive Chef and
helped launch the first international branch of Maze in New York, as well as Maze Grill in
London. In 2012 Durrant opened The Plough Inn in Longparish Hampshire, which in its first
year of operation, won The Good Food Guide ‘UK Pub of the Year’ along with a Michelin Bib
Gourmand.
Stuart Procter, General Manager of The Stafford London, said: “I am delighted to welcome
James to the team. His wealth of experience will help take The Stafford to the next level, and he
will be an inspirational driving force behind the food and beverage operation as we embark on a
new era for the hotel.”
The luxury boutique hotel, which is located in prestigious St James’s, has brought Durrant on
board to oversee the re-launch of its restaurant and create a new-look menu to complement the
British heritage of this iconic London property.
Durrant said: “I’m thrilled and excited to be joining The Stafford and being involved in the
redevelopment of the restaurant. Over the coming months, I’ll be working closely with Stuart
and the team putting together a new concept that will deliver classic British dishes with a modern
twist.”